Thompson's Mills

The story: Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site on Boston Mill Road east of Shedd has had a history of flood problems. Last spring farmers complained that restricting flow from the Calapooia River into the 1.5-mile-long mill race on the property caused the river to back up and flood nearby grass seed fields. The state, which took over the mill from private owners about four years ago, said it restricts flow in some instances to avoid flooding the 150-year-old mill.

The latest: Doug Crispin, park ranger at Thompson's Mills, said that about a week ago water levels in the Calapooia rose substantially and some flooding occurred. On Friday, water was across Roberts Road after river levels rose again during the week. He said levels were dropping during the morning and he expected water would be off the road by mid-day. The mill has kept levels in the millrace about 3 feet below its normal 10-foot level for the last three weeks and there is high water behind the mill. Mill gates have been running nonstop and will be most of the winter, Crispin said.

Steve Lathrop

Courthouse cameras

The story: After an anthrax scare in March at the Linn County Courthouse, officials decided to install outdoor surveillance cameras and additional indoor cameras.

The latest: County Administrative Officer Ralph Wyatt said this week 12 cameras were put up. The system can accommodate 32 cameras, so more may be added in the future. The county also invested in a public address system. Digital video taken is part of the public record and will be kept for 30 days.

AnneMarie Knepper

Linn wage program

The story: Linn County announced last month a program to help small businesses and organizations make up the difference between the old minimum wage and the new one, which went into effect Jan. 1. The program is funded by state economic development dollars that come from lottery proceeds. The county program, intended to encourage employers to hire people and to keep workers from being laid off, reimburses qualifying employers for the increase during the first quarter of the year, which ends March 31.

The latest: Five employers have completed applications and been approved for the program. Linn board chairman Roger Nyquist said the office has received about 40 inquiries and he anticipates approving more applications in the coming days. For more information, call the commissioners office at (541) 967-3825.

AnneMarie Knepper

Gatorade millions

The story: A subsidiary of PepsiCo notified the city of Albany in November that it no longer intended to build a $165 million Gatorade manufacturing plant on a 244-acre site it had bought south of Ellingson Road. In October 2006, the company had signed a development contract with Albany, Linn County and the state to build the plant. After the plans fell through, city officials said they expected the city to receive damages and reimbursements in the millions of dollars from the company.

The latest: City Manager Wes Hare said Friday negotiations with PepsiCo were continuing in an attempt to reach a settlement. The city council had authorized City Attorney Jim Delapoer to hire Portland lawyer David Markowitz, an expert in this field, to handle the negotiations. The council is scheduled to meet with Markowitz in executive session, closed to the public, on Wednesday evening.

Hasso Hering

Baby New Year

The story: The first baby to be born in Linn County surprised parents Heidiann and Dean Nicholson of Sweet Home by being a girl. Earlier ultrasounds had led a doctor to believe Heidiann was expecting a boy. Thrilled but surprised, the parents did not know what they were going to name their baby when interviewed for the story Saturday.

The latest: Mom Heidiann tells us she and Dean decided to name their third daughter Hannah Jane.

AnneMarie Knepper

Harrisburg library

The story: The city of Harrisburg was in talks with a bank to buy a historic home for $165,000. Harrisburg officials said they planned to turn it into a city library.

The latest: The deal was successful and the city now officially owns the Upmeyer House, a 1913 Colonial Revival-style home located at the southeast corner of Seventh and Territorial streets. Next up for the project: a discussion of possible grant opportunities for turning the home into a library. A consultant will speak during the next city coucil meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Harrisburg City Hall.

AnneMarie Knepper